Food is one of the most important aspects of the wedding celebration. But for vegan couples — with non-vegan guests — preparing a menu devoid of the standards like steak and chicken and cheesy pasta can prove tricky.

A lot of dishes try to mask that they’re vegan. If you’re vegan, be out and proud

Classic Approach, Vegan Twist

In creating a vegan menu, some caterers choose not to make vegan versions of meaty favorites because people can tell the difference. Cater to both meat eaters and non-meat eaters, and work with vegan customers to create an experience for all palates.

A popular vegan options is an heirloom tomato bar and carving station. Chefs carve the tomatoes to order, and guests can add oil and balsamic vinegar to them, usually offering fresh mozzarella. It’s good to have a non-vegan option for non-vegans. They can throw it in there and do their own little Caprese.

Also you can offer a whole grilled vegetable carving station where a chef grills up zucchini, squash and portabella mushrooms, carves them, and guests can choose various sauces and condiments.

[Vegans are] not second-class food citizens, but we treat them the same way we treat meat people. Let the ingredients stand out on their own.

Creative Comfort Food

Chefs work to create vegan dishes that are at the comfort-food level. Chefs can make a nut roast that tastes similar to meat loaf, barbecue soy chunks that are like spare ribs, and a cauliflower gratin with cashew alfredo that’s like a cheesy potato casserole. For those that are comfortable with vegan options, you can offer dishes like quinoa tabuleh.

For non-vegans, try to create a menu that’s something they’ve had before and something they can [recognize]. For example walnut crusted eggplant Parmesan resembles a beefy marinara over eggplant.

Create food so that guests have warm, fuzzy thoughts for the bride and groom and are not thinking about how weird the food is.

In creating vegan dishes, you can explore global options such as Indian and Middle Eastern flavors that people aren’t normally willing to do. Rock it out animal-free. It can be done.